England 22 New Zealand 24: George Ford misses last-gasp drop goal as Borthwick’s side denied win by late All Blacks try

ENGLAND suffered final quarter heartbreak again – as George Ford’s last-kick miss sent them slipping to a fourth late defeat in a row.

Manny Feyi-Waboso’s try after a Marcus Smith interception and the fly-half’s boot had put Steve Borthwick’s men eight points ahead with 20 to go.

But just as against France in the Six Nations and twice in New Zealand this summer, the Red Rose wilted under the pressure of getting over the line.

First Ben Earl’s no arm tackle allowed Damian McKenzie to claw three points back.

Mark Tele’a bulldozed through tackle attempts from Ford and Harry Randall, with McKenzie landing a touchline conversion to edge the All Blacks ahead.

Even when Ford hit the post with his penalty with a minute to go England were handed another chance with a knock-on in front of the posts that saw Ford set up for a drop goal with the final kick.

But it drifted wide as England once again blew a win that was surely there for the taking – and left the Red Rose fans shaking their head in frustration

This is happening too often and Steve Borthwick will know the excuses are running out.

It was a case of what might have been, with Smith’s right boot keeping his side in the contest as he landed four out of four, even though the All Blacks went over twice through Tele’a and full-back Will Jordan.

When Smith then snaffled scrum-half Cortez Ratima’s pass right after the restart, thundering up to the 22 before passing allowed Feyi-Waboso to cross and score, England looked in command.

BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS

That was even more the case with 20 to go.

Fly-half Beau Barrett touched down after a counter attack had exposed England, only for Caleb Clarke to be penalised for deliberately knocking on Tommy Freeman’s pass.

Smith kicked the goal to make it a 10-point swing in England’s favour – from effectively two points behind to eight in front.

Yet they could not hold on, squandering the lead and then twice refusing to take gift chances to get back in front. The anguish was clear on their faces.